Total Dissolved Solids (For Private Water and Health Regulated Public Water Supplies)

What Is Total Dissolved Solids? Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) usually refers to the mineral content of water, although it can also include dissolved organic material. In essence, TDS is the total amount of material remaining after evaporation of the water. TDS include common salts such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphates and bicarbonates.

Acknowledgement: How Does Total Dissolved Solids Get Into Water? The most common source of dissolved solids in water is from the weathering of This Fact Sheet is one of a sedimentary rocks and the erosion of the earth’s surface. Since many minerals series developed by an are water soluble, high concentrations can accumulate over time through the Interagency Committee with constantly reoccurring process of precipitation and evaporation. Groundwater representatives from usually has higher levels of TDS than surface water, since it has a longer Saskatchewan Health, contact time with the underlying rocks and sediments. In addition to the main Regional Health Authorities, inorganic components of total dissolved solids, TDS can come from organic Saskatchewan Watershed sources such as decaying organisms (plants and animals), urban and Authority, Saskatchewan agricultural runoff and municipal and industrial effluent discharges. The Agriculture, Agriculture and minerals (salts, such as sodium and calcium bonded to chloride and carbonate) Agri-Food Canada – PFRA and small amounts of soluble minerals are deposited by the weathering of and Saskatchewan sedimentary rocks and erosion of the earth’s surface. They are water soluble, Environment. and may accumulate to high concentrations over time through precipitation and evaporation.

Responsibility for How Does Total Dissolved Solids Affect My Health? interpretation of the content TDS does not directly pose a health risk. However, certain specific ions (e.g. of this fact sheet rests with nitrate), that are present in water can pose a direct health risk. High levels of the user. Information in this major ions, such as sodium, magnesium, and sulphate, may cause transient fact sheet is provided solely diarrhea. Generally, it is aesthetic problems such as taste, odor, and for the users information appearance that arise from high concentrations of TDS. These aesthetic and, while thought to be problems are often an indicator of corrosiveness, scaling, and ineffectiveness of accurate, is provided strictly detergents as is and with out warranty of any kind, either express Other Considerations or implied. The Province of Some laboratories will report “Conductivity” or the sum of ions as an indirect Saskatchewan hereby measure of TDS. Conductivity meters are often used in the field to provide an disclaims any liability or approximate TDS value. The conductivity of the water is a measure of its ability responsibility for any injury to carry an electrical charge. This is related directly to the concentration of ions or damage resulting from the in the water, and thereby provides an estimate of the TDS. use, directly or indirectly, of the information contained herein. How Can I Remove Total Dissolved Solids From My Drinking Water? In-house water treatment devices are available to remove or reduce TDS. Reverse Osmosis units will remove some, but not all TDS, while water distillation units will remove all TDS. These types of treatment systems must be properly designed, installed and maintained specific to your situation. Home treatment systems should carry the National Sanitation Foundation certification for TDS removal (1-877-867-3435 or [email protected]).

What Is The Standard For Total Dissolved Solids In Drinking Water? The Saskatchewan Ministry Environment's Drinking Water Quality Standards May/08 establish an aesthetic objective of 1500 mg/L. For the purposes of Saskatchewan’s Drinking Water Quality Standards and Objectives, TDS is based on the summation of the mineral ions Cl + SO4 + Ca + Mg + K + Na + NO3 + CO3 + HCO3.

How Can I Find Out If There Is Total Dissolved Solids In My Water? Most water quality testing laboratories can determine how much TDS is present in a water supply. For information on sampling instructions and containers, you should contact an accredited laboratory. If using the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory, sample containers are available from the laboratory, local Health Regions, or rural municipalities.

Need More Information?

Health Regulated Public Water Supply For more information on this fact sheet and/or other water quality issues relating to health regulated public water supplies contact your local health region public health inspector.

Private Water Supply For more information on how TDS impacts on human health contact your local health region office. For information on how TDS impacts agricultural operations contact Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture through your Regional Office or the Agricultural Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 or on the internet (http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/AKC).

Government of Saskatchewan Water Inquiry Line Water Information website Questions about water? Call 1-866-SASK H2O www.SaskH20.ca (1-866-727-5420) to be referred to proper agency. Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/environmental-health Head Office, Moose Jaw (306) 694-3900 Regional Health Offices Website: www.swa.ca Saskatoon: Saskatoon (306) 655-4605 Regional Offices: Sunrise: Yorkton (306) 786-0600 http://www.swa.ca/AboutUs/Contact.asp?type=Offices Kelsey Trail: Melfort (306) 752-6310 Sask Water Corporation Five Hills: Moose Jaw (306) 691-1500 Head Office, Moose Jaw Sun Country: Weyburn (306) 842-8618 Customer Service 1-888-230-1111 Heartland: Rosetown (306) 882-6413 Website: http://www.saskwater.com Prairie North: North Battleford (306) 446-6400 Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Prince Albert Parkland: Prince Albert (306) 765-6600 (PFRA) - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Cypress: Swift Current (306) 778-5280 Website http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/intro_e.htm Regina Qu’Appelle: Regina (306) 766-7755 Regional Offices: Mamawetan Churchill River: La Ronge (306) 425-8512 http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/sask_e.htm Keewatin Yatthe: Buffalo Narrows (306) 235-5811 Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory, Regina General Inquiry 1-866-457-2377 General Inquiry 1-866-450-0000 Agricultural Operations Regina (306) 787-4680 Phone: (306) 798-2125 // Fax (306) 798-0071 Irrigation Development Outlook (306) 867-5500 Website: http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/lab Website: www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca Health Canada Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment First Nation and Inuit Health Branch, Regina Toll-Free 1-800-567-4224 (306) 780-5434 Spill Emergency Toll-Free 1-800-667-7525 Website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca Website: http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca